The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution Value Guide

This two-volume set is a cornerstone of American historical preservation, resulting from Benson J. Lossing's 8,000-mile journey to document Revolutionary War sites. It is highly collectible for its firsthand interviews with survivors and over 1,100 meticulous wood engravings that captured locations before they were lost to time.

What Is The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution Worth?

The typical price range for The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution is $180 - $200 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the leather or cloth binding, particularly the preservation of the gold leaf detailing.
• The presence of all original pages and illustrations, as foxing or missing plates significantly reduces market price.
• The specific edition year, with the earliest 1851-1852 printings often commanding the higher end of the $180-$200 range.
• Provenance or original owner inscriptions that link the set to notable 19th-century historical collections.

How to Identify The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution?

• Verify the Harper & Brothers publisher imprint on the title page with dates ranging between 1851 and 1860.
• Check for the presence of the distinctive gold leaf decorative motifs on the spine and front covers.
• Confirm the two-volume format containing the comprehensive wood-engraved illustrations based on Lossing's original sketches.
• Look for the specific 19th-century binding styles, typically found in embossed cloth or half-leather with marbled edges.

History of The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution

Benson John Lossing traveled over 8,000 miles across the United States and Canada between 1848 and 1850 to document the sites of the American Revolution. He interviewed survivors and made detailed sketches of locations and artifacts. Published by Harper & Brothers, this work became a foundational text for American historical preservation and remains one of the most celebrated illustrated histories of the 19th century.